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History

The PBM was designed in 1937 to replace Martin's earlier P3M and complement Consolidated's PBY Catalina. Known as the Model 162, the type was preceded by a single seat quarter scale model known as the 162A, which was used to evaluate the design's flying characteristics.[2] These tests led to the US Navy ordering a single XPBM-1 on June 30, 1937 as the prototype XPBM-1. The aircraft first flew on February 18, 1939, and entered service in September, 1940.

During the war, the Mariner was used mostly as a patrol bomber by the United States Navy. They were used for anti-submarine patrols after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and claimed at least 12 submarines sunk over the course of the conflict. The PBM was also used by the US Coast Guard as a search and resuce aircraft. It was additionally exported to Great Britain and Australia, who used them as transports. The aircraft would be continued to be used by foreign countries until 1964.[1]

Specifications

The PBM Mariner was powered by two Wright R-2600-12 engines which allowed it to reach speeds of up to 205 mph and gave it a range of 3,000 miles. It required a crew of 8-12,[3] and could be armed with eight .50 in machine guns and either 4,000 lbs of bombs or two Mk. 13 torpedoes.[4]